S'poreans must not run down or trivialise others'
beliefs: SM Goh
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 13 February 2010 1428 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singaporeans have once again been reminded that
they must not run down or trivialise the beliefs of others.
Weighing in on the episode surrounding Pastor Rony Tan from
Lighthouse Evangelism, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong explained that
Singaporeans are free to profess any faith, and to practise and
promote their religions.
However, this must be done responsibly.
Speaking at the opening of the Singapore Jain Religious Society's
building on Saturday, Mr Goh said citizens must respect not only
the common spaces that other Singaporeans live, work and play in,
they must also respect their separate space.
That is a key principle underpinning the peace and social cohesion
that Singapore has.
Senior Minister Goh said that was why the Home Affairs Ministry had
to act firmly in response to the insensitive comments by Pastor
Rony Tan from Lighthouse Evangelism recently.
Mr Goh continued to say he is glad that the matter has been
resolved.
However, he cautioned that in the future, there may be the
occasional misunderstanding between people of different races and
religions.
When it occurs, people must act quickly, exercise tolerance,
respect any different viewpoints as being part and parcel of the
multicultural social fabric and try to resolve the misunderstanding
sincerely.
Mr Goh emphasised that the government and the people have worked
hard to maintain the country's social harmony.
Singaporeans have grown up with diversity in their midst - in
schools, while doing National Service, in housing estates and
workplaces.
But more can be done to enhance mutual understanding of one
another.
Mr Goh said he believes Singaporeans will find more commonalities
than differences by reaching out to one another.
"Our success in forging a multi-racial and multi-religious society
has sometimes resulted in Singaporeans, especially younger
Singaporeans, taking the harmony we enjoy for granted," Mr Goh
said.
"No one is surprised when they hear of families of different races
and religions living happily together in HDB flats. For example, in
Blk 33 of Marine Crescent, on the 13th floor, you have Muslims,
Catholics and Buddhists living side-by-side. In the same block, on
the 3rd floor, there are Hindu, Taoist and Christian families
happily sharing a common corridor.
"Last December, I attended a year-end Christmas Party organised by
an RC in Marine Parade. The RC chairman is a Christian; the
vice-chairman a Buddhist and the treasurer a Muslim.
"The resident who dressed up as Santa Claus is a Hindu grandfather!
Working together, they drew out many residents of different races
and religions for the party. We sang Christmas carols together,
thoroughly enjoying ourselves."
- CNA/yb
